Overview of photovoltaic module reliability testing at NREL

Conference · Thu Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)

OSTI ID:7261693

Burdick, J; Pruett, J ^[1]

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1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401 (United States)

The goals of the photovoltaic module reliability testing program at NREL include working with PV manufacturers to improve the long-term reliability of their modules, as well as obtaining an understanding of the correlation between indoor (accelerated) testing and outdoor (natural) exposure in order to reasonably predict PV module service lifetime. In addition, when problems occur, it is important to perform accurate failure analysis techniques to determine failure mechanisms, and, hopefully, obtain realistic solutions. At NREL, we have developed both indoor and outdoor module reliability testing programs to investigate these various, complex issues. These programs involve module qualification testing, photostability studies, accelerated weathering, and outdoor, real-time exposure testing. An overview of these various ongoing programs, their goals, approaches, and methods, will be presented here.

• OSTI ID: 7261693
• Report Number(s): CONF-9310273--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States) Journal Volume: 306:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FAILURES
LIFETIME
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RELIABILITY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SERVICE LIFE
STABILITY
TESTING
THERMAL CYCLING